Community Blog: Destiny: A Few Reasons To Get Excited

Destiny: A Few Reasons To Get Excited

By
Calvin Khan

Bungie are pulling out all the stops on their latest project. Not only is it hugely ambitious in its attempt to create a beguiling universe filled with mystery and intrigue, but it’s part of a slew titles blurring the lines between singleplayer and multiplayer. Here are a few reasons to get excited for Destiny.

The Setting

Despite taking place in our Solar System, there’s an unfamiliarity to much of it. Earth is a very different place in the future Destiny depicts, providing a sense of discovery. Meanwhile, the subtle mystery that surrounds many of the planets and satellites has really played into Bungie’s hands, allowing their imagination to run wild. Locations such as The Hellmouth (based on the moon and home to the Hive) are begging to be explored at great depth. Other areas, such as the largely ambiguous Black Garden, are leaving me itching to drop into Destiny to witness its beautiful environments first hand.

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There’s more to the universe than stunning locales though. What role does the Traveler have, the sphere hovering over Earth’s last remaining city? Does its presence provide shelter and safety, or are those living in its dark shadow doomed to face the same fate (or dare I say, Destiny?) as the rest of humanity? Benevolent or malevolent? It’s an intriguing question, one right at the epicentre of Destiny’s narrative and setting.

The Combat System

Bungie have ensured that there’s plenty of ways of defeating your opponent. From guns to swords, grenades to Supers, there’s enough to keep enemy engagement both fun and refreshing. It’s three weapon system, with the versatile assault rifle, a special slot, for your shotguns for example, and lastly, the heavy slot, providing the opportunity to dish out insane amounts of damage in a short time frame allows the player to engage enemies any way they see fit.

The weapons within Destiny help not only within the combat encounters, but in fleshing out the world too. Each has a unique name and history. The Gjallarhorn, for example, is an “exotic rocket launcher raised by wolves”, something which is echoed by its ornate design.

Luckily, all three classes are able to wield each beautifully crafted weapon. Where they differ though is in their available Supers. Quite a few have been shown off, briefly, in trailers and Vidocs. Only a handful though have names. The Warlock has access to the Nova Bomb, a devastating area of effect explosive, the Titan the Fist of Havoc, in which they’ll strike the ground releasing a powerful shockwave, and the Hunter the Golden Gun, which momentarily superchargers their weapon, dealing out greater amounts of damage.

Subtle Matchmaking

There’s a unique approach to the way matchmaking will happen within Destiny, especially in its cooperative sections, and it’s something I believe will become common practise in the industry. Everything happens behind the scenes. No lobbies, no waiting. Players will appear and disappear from your individual world, aiding you in public events to raids to simple combat encounters, before departing on their own unique adventure. Like any good cooperative game though, you can still group up with friends in a fireteam and explore the world together.

Like in most multiplayer titles, communication within Destiny is key, but Bungie doesn't want your experience to be potentially ruined by any unsavoury trash talk, therefore confining voice chat to fireteams. Here’s the interesting twist though; communication with other players happens through gestures and signals. Think of a slightly more complex version of Journey. Carefully considered design such as this could really benefit players, especially those who prefer being the lone wolf.

Competitive Multiplayer

With the recent blowout of news, it seems likely that Bungie will once again excel in the creation of a competent and fun multiplayer. Faster combat resolutions and the ability to aim down sights will separate it from the slower, steadier Halo, but still resonate classic Bungie, particularly in its map design. Being able to bring your character, complete with all their weapons, is a welcome addition too, though I do have a few doubts about how well balanced Destiny’s multiplayer component will be because of it. In Bungie I trust though.